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Leadership isn\u2019t confined to titles or roles \u2014 it\u2019s something we all practice daily, often without even realizing it. Whether deciding how to begin your day, choosing your outfit or managing your to-do list, we all make leadership decisions in small but significant ways.<\/p>\n
This everyday innate leadership is a far cry from the rigid definitions found in business books, which treat leadership as a skill to master or a checklist to complete.<\/p>\n
It turns out that leadership isn\u2019t all that complicated. In fact, my philosophy of \u201cunleadership\u201d flips those traditional ideas on their heads, embracing a simple truth: being a good, genuine human and trusting those around you is the real key to unlocking leadership potential.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t get me wrong; leadership matters. But what I\u2019ve learned through building Be Found Online is that the best thing I could do for the business \u2014 and team \u2014 was to get out of the way. That\u2019s where the idea of unleadership was born.<\/p>\n
Below, I want to share the principles of unleadership that have shaped my journey and the growth of Be Found Online. If you\u2019ve ever wondered whether stepping back could be the key to moving forward, I think you\u2019ll find something here that resonates.<\/p>\n
Leadership isn\u2019t about fancy titles or sticking to a rulebook \u2014 it\u2019s about learning, listening and lifting others up. That\u2019s the essence of unleadership \u2014 leading without ego \u2014 and it\u2019s transformed how I approach business and life.<\/p>\n
Some of the most valuable lessons I\u2019ve learned came from outside the conference room: from the exciting and fulfilling like traveling, volunteering and starting passion projects to the nerve-wracking and trying times like navigating autism and cancer for and with my family while running an agency. These experiences taught me things like resilience, adaptability and the power of genuine connection \u2014 ingredients essential for leading with heart.<\/p>\n
Listening is another cornerstone of unleadership. Truly hearing your team and creating an open, supportive environment can unlock potential. And when it comes to hiring, I look for curiosity, emotional intelligence and a willingness to grow \u2014 qualities that drive meaningful success.<\/p>\n
One of the best things about unleadership is that it\u2019s for anyone, anywhere. Whether you\u2019re running a company, managing a team or just starting out, these principles work. It\u2019s not about who you are; it\u2019s about how you lead \u2014 and how you empower others to do the same.<\/p>\n
Among the lessons I\u2019ve learned (albeit the hard way) is that no one person can \u2014 or should \u2014 do it all. If your business relies solely on you, it can only grow so far. That\u2019s why a core idea of unleadership is building a community of leaders.<\/p>\n
Leadership isn\u2019t a LinkedIn header \u2014 it\u2019s a mindset anyone can take on. When people feel trusted and empowered, they step up in ways you might not expect. Sharing leadership not only lightens your load but creates an environment where innovation and growth thrive.<\/p>\n
To build this kind of community, I focus on three things: giving people the tools and space they need to lead, maintaining transparency so everyone sees the bigger picture and celebrating leadership at all levels.<\/p>\n
Leadership can show up in anyone \u2014 whether it\u2019s a manager or a team member who jumps in to solve a problem or takes the reins on a new project. Recognizing those moments helps build a genuine culture where everyone feels like they\u2019re contributing to the company\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
The best part of creating a community of leaders? Watching it transform your company and your people. When leadership is shared, everyone grows \u2014 and your business becomes something bigger than any one person.<\/p>\n
At the end of the day, unleadership is about character \u2014 who you are matters as much as what you do. Traits like humility, empathy and integrity are essential for building trust and inspiring your team.<\/p>\n
Humility means recognizing you don\u2019t have all the answers (as nice as that might be) and putting the team\u2019s success above your ego. Empathy is about genuinely understanding and supporting every individual, which motivates and engages. And integrity? It\u2019s all about making sure your actions match your words, and building trust even when things get messy.<\/p>\n
Your team watches how you show up, especially in challenging moments. When you lead with character, you set the tone for success \u2014 not just in results but in how you achieve them. Being a good leader is about being a good human, and that\u2019s what unleadership is all about.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest game-changers in my leadership playbook is transparency \u2014 what I like to call the \u201copen book\u201d approach. It\u2019s not just about celebrating the wins but also sharing the bumps along the way. When your team gets a clear picture of where the company is headed, what\u2019s clicking and where they can do better, it creates a sense of trust and ownership.<\/p>\n
Key takeaway: transparency means being real, even when things go sideways (because it\u2019s inevitable \u2014 they will, and that\u2019s okay). Owning up to mistakes shows your team that it\u2019s normal to take risks, learn from them and try again. It creates a culture where innovation is encouraged and no one is afraid to step up with new ideas.<\/p>\n
An open-book approach turns the whole team into owners. It\u2019s about building a collaborative environment where everyone feels like they\u2019re contributing to the company\u2019s success \u2014 not just as employees but as key players in the bigger picture.<\/p>\n
Separately, you may wish to consider practicing \u201cOpen Book Management\u201d as another option to become more transparent in the operations of the business, inviting employees to share in the outcome \u2013 good or bad.<\/p>\n
Unleadership isn\u2019t about complicated business strategies or growth hacks \u2014 it\u2019s about being a decent human being. It\u2019s about showing up every day with integrity, empowering your team and creating a place where people feel like they\u2019re more than just a number.<\/p>\n
When you lead with empathy, transparency and a focus on helping others grow, you create a space where everyone thrives. And that\u2019s the real deal \u2014 true success isn\u2019t just about scaling up; it\u2019s about building a business that leaves a lasting impact.<\/p>\n
So whether you\u2019re leading a small squad or a big team, remember this: leadership is more than a title. It\u2019s a mindset. If we embrace unleadership, step back and empower those around us, we can create businesses that aren\u2019t just successful \u2014 but meaningful.<\/p>\n
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Steve Krull is the CEO and Co-founder of <\/em>Be Found Online<\/em>, a digital marketing agency where he and his teams have been helping businesses with online visibility for more than 10 years.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n